WiTech - Enabling Deterministic and Reliable Wireless Communication for Future Production Systems

The digital transformation of industry is creating new opportunities for smarter, more flexible, and more efficient production systems. A key enabler of this transformation is wireless communication, which allows machines, sensors, robots, and automation systems to exchange information without relying on costly and inflexible cabling. However, industrial environments are often challenging for wireless technologies due to factors such as metallic structures, electromagnetic interference, and large numbers of connected devices, all of which can affect communication reliability and responsiveness.

The WiTech project addresses these challenges by investigating how next-generation wireless technologies, including 5G and advanced Wi-Fi, can be used to support future industrial applications that require highly reliable and low-latency communication. Examples include real-time monitoring and control of production equipment, predictive maintenance, autonomous and mobile machines, and portable automation solutions. The project develops and evaluates novel methods for improving wireless network performance in industrial settings and examines the strengths, limitations, and cost-benefit trade-offs of different wireless technologies.

By combining advances in wireless communication with software-defined automation, WiTech aims to contribute to the development of more adaptable, resilient, and sustainable manufacturing systems. The project will provide valuable knowledge for both industry and researchers, helping companies make informed decisions about future wireless deployments and accelerating the adoption of smart factory technologies.

Project Objective: WiTech aims to enable reliable and low-latency wireless communication for future smart factories by developing advanced communication techniques and evaluating the suitability of 5G and Wi‑Fi technologies for industrial automation applications.